Oana Radu and her abdominal surgery: what she said herself

What did Oana Radu say about her operation?

She wrote about it on Instagram in March 2023, and the Romanian daily Libertatea quoted her words: “The procedure I had was cosmetic, but only to correct the traces that losing over 100 kilograms (you know I lost 50 kilograms twice) left on me. The procedure I had is in the abdominal area, but it is not just an abdominoplasty, it is a more complex one. It was a hard operation, but I feel absolutely wonderful and, obviously, I have started a new life!” She added that, looking back, she did not know why she had not done it earlier or why she had been so afraid.

In April 2023 she posted a photo of her abdomen for the first time. BZI.ro quoted her caption: “My friends and the people close to me know that I waited 29 years to post this photo.”

That is all we rely on here. Oana Radu said herself that her operation was more complex than a standard abdominoplasty and did not describe it in more detail, so this article does not guess at what exactly was done. Where the text below explains techniques and timelines, it describes tummy tuck surgery in general, not her treatment.

Why her story matters

Losing a very large amount of weight is a huge achievement, but the skin does not always follow. After major weight loss many people are left with stretched skin on the abdomen that no diet or training can tighten. Oana Radu named this directly: the operation was not about losing weight, but about the traces that the weight loss had left.

She was also honest about the difficulty. She called it a hard operation and admitted she had been afraid for a long time — and at the same time said she felt wonderful and had started a new life. For people in a similar situation, that combination of honesty about the effort and satisfaction with the decision is more useful than any promise of an easy result.

How a tummy tuck is done today

A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) tightens the front abdominal wall. Excess stretched skin and fat are removed, separated rectus muscles (diastasis) are repaired and, when needed, the navel is repositioned. It is not a method of losing weight and does not replace diet and exercise. There are two main variants:

• Classic abdominoplasty — a horizontal incision above the pubic area, planned so that underwear and swimwear hide the scar. The surgeon repairs the muscles, removes excess tissue, repositions the navel and places drains; 2–4 hours under general anaesthesia.
• Mini abdominoplasty with diastasis repair — only the lower abdomen is corrected, the incision is shorter and the navel is not moved.

After very large weight loss the amount of loose skin can be greater, and the surgeon plans the scope individually; a tummy tuck can also be combined with liposuction of the flanks and waist. The technique is chosen at an in-person consultation after assessing the muscles and skin, not from a celebrity story.

Who is it for, and how to prepare

The operation is considered when excess skin and fat or diastasis remain after childbirth, a C-section or major weight loss, or when a sagging lower abdomen or an “apron” of skin has formed. Weight should be stable before surgery. Pregnancy should be planned at least 12 months after the operation, and it is not done while breastfeeding.

Contraindications include age under 18, endocrine obesity, severe chronic or mental illness, decompensated diabetes, blood clotting disorders, cancer, pregnancy and serious heart, kidney or liver disease. Before surgery patients have blood tests, a coagulation panel, infection tests, an ECG and a chest X-ray; at City Medical Centre a hormone screening is also ordered. Medicines that affect clotting are stopped two weeks before (only with the doctor), alcohol and smoking a week before, and the last meal is eight hours before the operation.

Recovery after a tummy tuck

Oana Radu called her operation hard, and a tummy tuck does need a planned recovery. After the operation the patient stays in hospital for 1–3 days under medical supervision. Drains are usually removed after two days and stitches after seven. A compression binder is worn for 1.5–2 months. Most swelling goes within 30 days, office work resumes after 2–3 weeks, and sport, sauna and heavy lifting are off-limits for 2–3 months; at first it is recommended to sleep on your back with the knees bent. The result is assessed at three months, and the scar matures and fades over about a year.

1. Day of surgeryGeneral anaesthesia; a classic tummy tuck takes 2–4 hours.
2. Days 1–3Hospital stay under medical supervision; drains are usually removed after two days.
3. Day 7Stitches are removed; first check-up with the surgeon.
4. Weeks 2–3Return to office work; the compression binder stays on.
5. Month 1Most of the swelling has gone.
6. Months 2–3The binder comes off after 1.5–2 months; sport, sauna and heavy lifting return after 2–3 months; the result is assessed.
7. 12 monthsThe scar is mature, faded and much less noticeable.

A tummy tuck at City Medical Centre

City Medical Centre in Moscow performs classic and mini abdominoplasty for international patients, and patients from Bucharest can start with an online consultation. The first consultation is free; the price of a tummy tuck is set individually at the consultation and then fixed in the contract. Follow-up check-ups are scheduled 7 days, 3 months and 6 months after surgery. More details are on the tummy tuck page.

To be clear: City Medical Centre has no connection with Oana Radu or her treatment. Her story is simply a well-known example of someone who spoke openly about the operation.

Frequently asked questions

What operation did Oana Radu have?

In March 2023 she wrote that she had cosmetic surgery in the abdominal area to correct the traces of losing over 100 kg, and that it was not just an abdominoplasty but a more complex operation. She did not describe it in more detail.

How did Oana Radu feel after the operation?

She called it a hard operation but said she felt absolutely wonderful and had started a new life. In April 2023 she posted a photo of her abdomen, writing that she had waited 29 years to post it.

Is a tummy tuck a way to lose weight?

No. It removes stretched skin and fat and repairs separated muscles. Weight should be stable before surgery, and diet and exercise remain important afterwards.

How much does a tummy tuck cost at City Medical Centre?

The price is set individually at the free consultation after the surgeon has assessed the abdomen, and it is then fixed in the contract.

Will there be a scar?

Yes. A scar is the unavoidable price of removing excess skin. The incision is planned so that underwear and swimwear hide it, and the scar matures and fades over about 12 months.